Not the accent, but the 'David and Ann' grade school style slow monotone with no inflection is a turnoff for a story opener, since Chapter I is the scene-setter for the novel. Recommend a re-recording of it. Being a volunteer does not mean listeners should 'expect' an unpleasant reading style.

As far as mysteries go, this story was well written and engaging. It kept me guessing up to the end.

[b]Sensitive listeners should be warned about racially offensive stereotypes and language.[/b] It is a product of the period, but that language is grating to today's ears.

As to the reader, Lucy is a clear and deliberate reader with a strong Australian accent. Her style and voice are not for everyone. It took a while for me to get used to her, but I now seek out her books and it was because Lucy is the reader that I chose to listen to this book. All Librivox readers (Lucy and me included) are volunteers who read for the joy of reading. Librivox has certain format standards for the files we submit, but there are no auditions and everyone is welcome to read or contribute in some other way. If you don't like one particular reader's voice or style, there are many other readers and many other books, try something else until you find one that clicks. Or maybe do something radical and become a reader yourself! There are many public domain books just waiting for someone to liberate them into the world of audio.

Although you have to appreciate someone volunteering to read a book, this reader could NOT keep our attention, even through the first chapter. We didn't listen long enough to express an opinion on the book itself.

This was a good mystery. The language used was a little unsettling, but the times being what they were, not unexpected. I look at it as a slice of history. My thanks to the reader.